WGA Reveals Video Game Writing Award Nominees; No ‘The Walking Dead’

The Writers Guild of America today announced its nominees for Outstanding Achievement in Video Game Writing. Though most look at video games for their gameplay or storytelling possibilities, many forget that someone has to sit down and write out all potential pieces of dialogue and many of the major story beats in the game.

An eclectic group to say the least, but one that has at least one major omission: Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead. Considered to be among this year’s best games, if not the best game of 2012, The Walking Dead is one of those rare games where the writing, in essence, makes the experience. To not nominate such a game is a major oversight, especially when a game like 007 Legends (which did not receive favorable reviews) is up there.

Not so fast, though; before passing judgment on The Walking Dead not making the list there’s one interesting detail to note about the WGA and who they are allowed to nominate. Essentially, the WGA has created a mini-union called the Video Game Writers Caucus and it is from there that nominees can be drawn.

And unlike the WGA, which requires 2% of every penny earned as part of the union “dues,” the VGC only asks for a $60-a-year membership fee. Anyone who isn’t interested in joining needn’t pay a penny, but, at the same time, they can’t be considered for this award.

So while we can’t say for certain that The Walking Dead‘s writers (which does include WGA member Gary Whitta) are not all members, that seems the most likely scenario. It might also explain why certain games ended up on the list while others did not, and therefore adds a new dynamic to “judging” the list.

What do you think of the games that were nominated by the WGA? Which do you think should win?